There’s Nowhere to Go but Up With Vertical Tiles

July 26, 2023|Tile Design Ideas, Tile Trends|

Have vertical tiles caught your eye?

Whether you’re wondering what this new trend is or looking for specific design ideas to install in your home, we have everything you need to know about vertical tiles right here.

What Is Vertical Tile?

Kitchen with black and blue vertical tiles — Vertical tile is loosely defined as any tile laid vertically.

Simply put, vertical tile is tile that’s laid vertically rather than horizontally.

Vertical tile layouts have been trending, initially as a creative use for subway tile. Laying subway tile vertically is more than a new approach to the classic look. It also draws the eye upward to create the illusion of higher ceilings.

All sorts of shapes can work in a vertical layout. If a tile is laid vertically, you can consider it a vertical tile — whatever the tile shape.

Pro Tip: Vertical rectangle tiles that are not staggered are often referred to as vertical tile grids.

Is It Better to Tile Vertically or Horizontally?

The advantages of installing tile vertically or horizontally depend on the look you want to achieve.

Vertical tile draws the eye upward and visually elongates a space. This makes vertical tile ideal for drawing attention to a certain focal point or adding visual height to a room.

Similarly, horizontal tile can visually widen a space.

If you want to make a wide wall without much height feel taller, you might opt for a vertical layout. And if you want to widen a small space, a horizontal layout could help.

When it comes to shower tiles, many homeowners wonder if vertical or horizontal tile in shower spaces is the best choice.

Another element to consider is creativity. Horizontal tiles may be more suitable for a traditional or classic look. But if you want something more unique, vertical tiles are trending with contemporary decor and have the versatility to coordinate with styles such as minimalism and boho.

Mixing Vertical and Horizontal Tiles

Wall with mixing Vertical and Horizontal herringbone tiles — This twist on herringbone tile is a great way to incorporate both vertical and horizontal tiles into your space.

Before you choose vertical or horizontal tiles, keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be either-or!

Sometimes incorporating both vertical and horizontal tiles is just what a space needs. In fact, some popular tile patterns do just that.

For example, the running variation tile pattern lays subway tiles both vertically and horizontally, creating “L” shapes across a surface. Vertical shower tile accents — often contrasting a vertical strip of vertical mosaic tiles (yes, vertical on vertical) against larger horizontal tiles — are popular as well. (More on this design later.)

Our Favorite Vertical Tile Patterns and Looks

So, let’s take a look at some of the most popular vertical tile patterns.

Vertical Subway Tile

Vertical white subway tile for bathroom sink — Vertical white subway tile is a popular take on the classic design, and in this case, a navy blue accent stripe takes it even further.

When it comes to subway tile, vertical installations such as a vertical subway tile backsplash kitchen or a vertical subway tile shower create a fresh take on the timeless design.

Note that vertical subway tile has an offset, whereas vertical stacked subway tile (or vertical stacked tile) does not. So, you may also see vertical subway tile referred to as “vertical offset tile.” The common brick/subway pattern is simply turned 90 degrees to achieve this look.

Vertical Stacked Tile (aka Vertical Tile Grid)

Modern monochromatic kitchen with vertical tile grid — The simplicity of a vertical tile grid is especially helpful for achieving a modern monochromatic look.

Pink and white vertical tiles for restaurant wall — Alternating pink and white tiles creates the illusion of a stagger in this vertical stacked tile.

Vertical subway tile’s close cousin is vertically stacked subway tile.

The key difference between the two patterns is that the vertical stack pattern lacks the staggered design of vertical offset tile. Understanding this and using the names properly will ensure you properly communicate your desired design to your designer and/or installer.

When should you use the staggered versus the stacked vertical tile pattern?

Vertical offset tile retains more of the original subway tile look and the staggering might also add a touch of playfulness to your installation.

The vertical stacked tile pattern creates a sleek grid layout that can lend a sense of order to your space.

Vertical Picket Fence Tile

Kitchen with white vertical pile tile backsplash — When it comes to a picket tile backsplash, vertical layouts give you a classic look.

Vertical picket fence layout with darker grout color — A darker grout color will draw more attention to your vertical picket fence tile layout.

Not all vertical tile has to be rectangular. In fact, our next design idea is a spinoff of hexagon tile.

When you lay elongated hex tiles vertically, you create the look of a classic picket fence — especially if you use white tile. Vertical picket fence tile creates a nostalgic, yet playful look that’s sure to make a statement.

Kitchen space with stone-look picket fence surrounding the fireplace — Of course, you don’t have to use white tile to create the vertical picket fence look. For example, this space opts for a stone look picket fence fireplace surround.

Bathroom sink with blue vertical picket fence tile layout — Choosing a solid color for your vertical picket fence layout and using a contrasting grout color can help emphasize its shape.

Vertical Wavy Tile

White shower mosaic tiles in arabesque-like shapes that create vertical lines — These white mosaic tiles in arabesque-like shapes create vertical wavy lines.

Vertical tile tends to make heavy use of straight lines, but that doesn’t have to be the case. As long as the tiles create a sense of vertical direction, vertical tile can come in any shape — straight-edged or not, such as the vertical wavy tile shower above.

White vertical wavy tiles accented with gold for bathroom sink wall — These white vertical wavy tiles accented with gold create playful movement in this elegant bathroom.

Vertical Mosaic Tile

Colorful mosaic vertical subway tile — This mosaic vertical subway tile in shades of white, blue, and gold would make for a lovely backsplash, feature wall, or shower.

Considering a tile mosaic for your space? Mosaics and vertical tile layouts are highly compatible.

Mosaic penny round tiles in a vertical diamond pattern tile — These mosaic penny round tiles laid in a vertical diamond pattern tie right into our next vertical tile example.

Vertical Diamond Tile

There’s nowhere to go but up with diamonds, right? That’s what we had imagined, and these diamond-inspired vertical tile bathrooms confirm it.

Diamond-esque vertical tile bathroom wall — This diamond-esque vertical tile is an elongated version of the classic octagon and dot pattern.

Vertical Running Bond Tile

Entryway with vertical wood-look ceramic tile flooring — This entryway flips the classic hardwood floor look on its head, using vertical wood-look ceramic tile for the walls in a running bond layout and a neutral shade of ceramic tile for the flooring.

We’re used to seeing wood-look running bond tile on floors to create the look of classic hardwood. But who’s to say it doesn’t belong on the walls as well?

(Even More) Creative Vertical Tile

We couldn’t help ourselves, so we’re including a couple more unique vertical tile looks below.

3D marble-look design wall for bathroom — This 3D marble-look design creates the look of stair steps that span the wall.

Mosaic trapezoid shape glass tiles — Mosaic glass tiles in elongated trapezoid shapes make this backsplash beautifully eye-catching.

Gray vertical wall tile with 3d effect — The angles of these vertical wall tiles create a 3D effect that leads the eye upward.

Vertical Tile by Installation

Now let’s take a look at some of the best places to install vertical tile.

Vertical Tile Backsplash

Terrazzo-look subway tile backsplash in vertical ceramic trim pieces — This terrazzo-look subway tile backsplash is flipped 90 degrees in the center between vertical ceramic trim pieces.

Vertical tile is the perfect choice to lend height to backsplashes, especially for a vertical subway tile backsplash or a dramatic vertical backsplash design.

Pro tip: When designing a vertical tile backsplash, just be sure to choose a tile size that enables you to install enough rows of tile. If you have a short backsplash area and choose a long tile, you may not be able to install enough rows to sufficiently show off the design.

[Related: 81 Bathroom Backsplash Ideas]

Chocolate vertical stacked subway tile backsplash — A chocolatey vertical stacked subway tile backsplash is the design highlight of this kitchen.

Vertical Wall Tiles

Earth-tone wall tiles in different colors — This space uses vertical wall tiles in different colors.

Vertical wall tiles that extend across an entire wall can add order and calm or present an opportunity for a one-of-a-kind design element. The design you choose can completely change the look and feel of a space.

Marble-look vertical walls for bathroom — The larger surface area of wall installations also gives you the option to go bigger with vertical tiles.

Metal-look vertical tiles for multipurpose room — Notice how these large, oxidized metal-look vertical tiles are the same as those used on the floor but in a slightly different tone. This is a great way to create a coordinated application that ties together the entire space and/or multiple rooms.

Next up is perhaps our favorite place to use vertical tile: the shower.

Vertical Tile Shower

Blue vertical subway tile shower — How could you not start the day on the right foot with this vertical subway tile shower to admire every morning?

How could you not start the day on the right foot with this vertical subway tile shower to admire every morning?

When it comes to shower tiles, “horizontal or vertical?” is a common question. And while it’s true that people often use horizontal tiles to make narrow walls (like those in showers) feel wider, vertical tile in shower applications — including large vertical subway tile shower designs — can make a shower feel majestic.

Vertical shower tile layouts often give balance to narrow shower walls and can even enhance the overall look when paired with creative shower floor tile ideas. Coordinating wall and floor tile designs helps achieve a cohesive aesthetic, whether you’re going for a spa-like retreat or a bold, modern statement.

Vertical patterned black and white mosaic shower tiles — Vertical layouts give you plenty of room for creativity, including using more complex patterns such as these black and white mosaic vertical shower tiles.

Bonus: Vertical Shower Tile Accent

Blue mosaic vertical shower tile — This mosaic vertical shower tile accent takes a horizontal design and gives it vertical movement.

When it comes to shower tile, vertical accent stripe additions are a stylish way to add a unique tile feature.

Vertical accent tile in shower applications enables you to add just the right amount of flare. We typically see mosaic tile used in these designs but, depending on the size of your desired accent stripe, you could go larger.

Blue square tiles with a vertical feature area — Standard square tiles with a vertical feature area take on a sophisticated flair.

Our favorite vertical shower accent tile ideas include:

Tiling just a section of the shower, as in in the photo above
Accenting a shower niche or bench
Using the same tile style that’s in the rest of your shower, but with smaller vertical tiles as an accent
Contrasting the color of your accent tile against the rest of your shower’s tile (such as using colorful or patterned tiles for an accent area and more neutral tiles for the rest of the shower)

[Related: 17 Divine Tile Shower Bench Ideas]

Vertical Bathroom Tile

Pink grout vertical subway tile bathroom — This vertical subway tile bathroom features a stacked layout that draws attention to its pink grout.

Vertical tiles bathroom isn’t limited to showers — it looks great throughout the rest of the room as well. For example, vertical tiles in bathroom spaces often highlight backsplashes, walls, even counters and vanities.

Vertical gray tile across a bathroom wall — If you’re planning to use vertical tile across a large bathroom wall, consider larger tiles to avoid overwhelming the space with design details.

Split personality! When a horizontal design is best for your room but you love the vertical stacked look? Horizontal color block options of vertical tile can solve the issue to balance your space!

Vertical Kitchen Tile

Vertical subway tile kitchen — This vertical subway tile kitchen design incorporates both glossy and matte tile for added visual interest.

Consider using vertical tile in your kitchen on a backsplash, wall, or kitchen island, or use a vertical flooring pattern. Any surface that could use a durable and easy-to-clean material is a good place for vertical ceramic tile. And, let’s face it, that’s every kitchen surface.

White subway tile offers a timeless look for kitchen walls and backsplashes. Plus, there are countless ways to get creative with vertical tile while preserving a classic aesthetic. If you’re seeking more inspiration, check out these stylish kitchen floor tile designs to enhance your space.

white hexagonal vertical tile design for kitchen wall — The mosaic elongated hexagons lend this vertical white tile design a vintage vibe.

Take Your Design to New Heights

We hope you’ve found a vertical tile design idea to take your home’s interior decor straight to the top. But if you’re still searching for the perfect design, be sure to check out our Pinterest board for more inspiration, including ceramic tile shower floor ideas to help you create a stylish and functional space.

About the Author: Roxanne Morris

Roxanne Morris is the Marketing and Media Relations Manager at the Tile Council of North America America. She writes about tile product development, standards, and design trends for various trade publications. Roxanne is also an editor at WhyTile.com and manages the Why Tile Partner network at Partners.Whytile.com.

There’s Nowhere to Go but Up With Vertical Tiles

What Is Vertical Tile?